Trip out East - Early May, 2017

My husband, known as Oompa by our granddaughters, is a travel agent.  He enjoys planning trips, figuring out the fights, finding Marriott Courtyards for us wimpy travelers, and then communicating with everyone about where to meet, and all the rest of the details that go into making a terrific trip go well.  Except this time he did not plan on bad weather.  Negotiating the winding MA and NH roads in rain and fog would have been impossible except our rental car had a GPS.  But we never used one before!  I like to figure out how to work things, so happily I was able to program the GPS which miraculously guided us to every destination.Whew!

With my dear high school friend, Jeanne Lang. 
 We had lunch at the Olive Garden in Tynsboro, MA.
Jeanne said this was one of Ray's favorite places because 
of the location -- you drive up a curvy drive and there
it is, all by itself, high on a hill.  Like a Tuscan Hill Town!

This is where our beautiful wide plank
 heart pine wood floor was milled.
Thank god for the GPS.

With our friends Biff and Mary Atwater in Hampton, NH.
Biff and Ed attended Colgate.
They visited us out here twice.

Neal and Gabi Visit

What a trooper both Gabi and Neal are after they had problems getting here. Rather than flying from Seattle to Midway, they flew into St. Louis and Oompa went down to Lambert to pick them up.  This was AFTER many hours spent in the Seattle airport !  But they are here and spreading joy throughout the house plus they helped us get the wall closet and corner cupboard filled!

Updating our Beloved House, Charlie Knapp Builders

When Grandma Mimi came to live with us in 1998 it was apparent our quad in Pleasant Hills would present problems because of the steps.  For two years we looked for a ranch without success.  So we saw a lot out here in Charterwood and at age 65, we built 10281 Old Sawmill Road with contractor Charlie Knapp.  Both Paula and Charlie became dear to us and they adored Grandma Mimi and so they told us if we wanted to go away, their daughter Kendra would be glad to spend the night. Grandma Mimi was sharp as a tack. The Knapp's soon developed a lovely relationship with Mim.

When we decided to "update" our house, Paula said they would be happy to help and thus about a month ago, the adventure began.   Scroll down a bit on the Facebook link and you will see a picture they posted!  Go further down and a note from Ed appears.

Andy, Wes Kaeb and Jason Kaeb.  We served the fellas lunch and
  gave them pussy willows which they loved!

Have Been Thinking about The Notorious RBD

Jane Pauley does an excellent interview with the oldest Supreme Court member, Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Justice Ginsburg has written a new book, All Rise.  Must get it!

Boooootiful Roses, Valentine's Day 2017

Jane Lynch Receives Honorary Doctoral Degree from ISU

And I was there to see this ceremony which is the closest thing ISU has to the Oscars, said President Larry Dietz.   As a part of Founder's Day, many people receive awards, including the Distinguished Professor Award which Daad received in 1997 with only 2 awarded each year.  

Jane still dreams about ISU, especially the quad in autumn.  On the ACT she received a score of 13!  She was closed out of a class so decided to take a theater class just for the hec of it, after which she breathed, ate, and lived theater. She never attended her Spanish II classes but did show up for the final.  Her professor knew of her talent and so gave her a very easy exam.
The essence of her beliefs --

     Goal setting may be restrictive
     Never use the word "should"
     Intelligence means creativity
     Don't be a humorless do-gooder  

Daad's New Snow Blower

It is February 8th and down came snow, enough for Daad to try out his new snow blower.  He reported though the machine is larger and heavier than the old one, it is easier to use because it starts up immediately.

Montserrat Caballe and Freddie Mercury

My Master Gardener friend, Margaret Hollowell, emailed me a link about Montserrat Caballe, an incredible Spanish soprano.  Here with Freddie Mercury, they sing Barcelona in 1988, composed by Freddie Mercury and Mike Moran.

Freddie Mercury passed away in 1991 from complications due to AIDS.

Exquisite beyond words!!!

Daad LOVES These Shoes

Last year the same sight appeared on the dining room table.  The shoes are old and were purchased in Pittsburgh. 

Betsy DeVos, Secretary of Education??

Horrors!  Let's hope she is not confirmed.   Yeh to Teachers' Unions and people like me who are protesting this selection. 

It is February 7th and I am sad to report she was confirmed -- 50/50 and Pence broke the tie.  This is a first.